Chapter 65 – Inherited Trouble and a Deepening Bond
The words tumbled out of me like water breaking through a dam.
“My father has always been manipulative, but this goes beyond anything I expected,” I said, my hands trembling slightly around my water glass. “He transferred the majority shares of Ocean Trading Company to me without my knowledge or consent.
Damien’s expression remained calm, but I noticed his jaw tighten slightly. “When exactly did this transfer happen?”
“Three weeks ago, right after Ivy died,” I explained. “I was distracted by everything. happening with the funeral and the publicity aftermath. He must have seen that as the perfect opportunity.”
Damien nodded thoughtfully. “The timing is certainly calculated.”
“The company is facing a tax audit and has millions in back taxes. By making me the majority shareholder, my father effectively made me responsible for all of it.” My voice cracked slightly. “If you hadn’t intervened today, I might be facing criminal charges right now.”
Damien reached across the table and covered my hand with his. The warmth of his touch was steady, grounding.
“I won’t let that happen,” he said simply, the quiet certainty in his voice more reassuring than any grand promise could have been.
Our food arrived, and I realized just how hungry I was after the morning’s stress. Damien watched me with a small smile as I eagerly cut into my salmon.
“You’re not eating?” I asked, noticing he was merely sipping his water.
“I had a breakfast meeting earlier,” he admitted. “Don’t worry about me.”
I paused, fork midway to my mouth. “You didn’t have to come to lunch if you’ve already
eaten.”
“I wanted to,” he replied, eyes never leaving mine. “After what happened this morning, I wanted to make sure you were truly okay.”
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Something warm unfurled in my chest at his words. This powerful man had rearranged his schedule and sat through a meal he didn’t need just to ensure my well–being
“Thank you,” I said softly. “For everything.”
The conversation flowed easily after that. Damien listened attentively as I explained more about my father’s business practices and the history of our strained relationship. Unlike most people who heard my family stories, he never once looked at me with pity. Instead, his eyes held respect and understanding.
“You’ve overcome a lot,” he remarked when I finished. “Most people wouldn’t have your resilience.”
I shrugged, uncomfortable with the praise. “I didn’t have much choice.”
“We always have choices,” Damien countered gently. “You chose to build something of your own rather than be defined by your family’s dysfunction. That takes courage.”
His words stayed with me as we finished lunch and headed back to his car. The sleek
traffic. vehicle purred to life as Damien pulled into
“I should get back to the office,” I said, glancing at my watch. “I’ve already missed half the day.”
Damien nodded, smoothly navigating through the busy streets. “I’ve asked my legal team to look into your situation with Ocean Trading Company. They’ll coordinate with your lawyer.”
“You didn’t have to do that,” I protested weakly, even as relief washed through me at the thought of having his resources behind me.
“I know I didn’t have to,” he replied. “I wanted to.”
Those four simple words–I wanted to–seemed to encapsulate everything about Damien Sterling. He did things because he wanted to, not because of obligation or expectation. The realization was both thrilling and terrifying.
The car slowed to a stop at a red light. In the quiet moment, I turned to look at his profile–the strong line of his jaw, the slight curl of his dark hair at his collar, the steady confidence in his posture.
“You work too hard,” I found myself saying. “This morning with the tax bureau, now helping me with my father’s company… Don’t you ever rest?”
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Damien turned to meet my gaze, and the intensity in his eyes made my breath catch. “Some things are worth the effort, Hazel.”
The air between us suddenly felt charged, thick with unspoken meaning. I was acutely
aware of how close we were in the confined space of his luxury car, of the subtle scent
of his cologne, of the way his eyes dropped briefly to my lips.
For a wild moment, I thought he might lean in. I wasn’t sure if I would pull away if he did.
The moment shattered as his phone rang, the sound cutting through the tension like a knife. Damien’s expression flickered with what looked like frustration before he answered.
“Yes, Nina?” He listened for a moment. “I’ll be there in twenty minutes. Have the documents ready.”
He hung up and shot me an apologetic glance. “My secretary. There’s a situation that needs my attention.”
“Of course,” I said quickly, ignoring the irrational disappointment I felt. “You have a company to run.”
The rest of the drive passed in comfortable silence. When we reached building, Damien insisted on walking me to the lobby.
my office
“Thank you again,” I said, hesitating at the entrance. “For everything today.”
“You don’t need to keep thanking me,” he replied, his voice warm.
Before I could respond, he reached out and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, his fingers lingering for just a heartbeat longer than necessary. The simple gesture sent shivers down my spine.
“I’ll call you later,” he promised, then turned and walked back to his car, leaving me staring after him with my heart racing.
Back in my office, I tried to focus on work, but my mind kept circling back to Damien. What was happening between us? Why did he care so much about helping me?
My phone rang, jarring me from my thoughts. It was my aunt, Harrison’s sister. “Hazel, thank God you answered,” she said, her voice trembling. “Have you
heard
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what’s happening with the company?”
“I found out this morning when I was taken in for questioning by the Tax Bureau, I replied coldly.
“Then you know how bad it is.” She sounded desperate. “Hazel, you have to do something. The company’s going to collapse.”
“Why should I do anything? My father is the one who created this mess.
“Because you’re the legal representative now!” she exclaimed.
I froze. “What are you talking about? I’m just a shareholder.”
Her silence told me everything before she even spoke. “You didn’t know? Harrison sold his remaining shares last month. And before that… he changed the company’s legal representative to Ivy.”
The blood drained from my face. “Ivy? But she’s dead.”
“Exactly,” my aunt confirmed. “And as the largest remaining shareholder, you automatically inherited that position. The company’s debt is legally your responsibility
now.”
The full scope of my father’s betrayal finally became clear. He hadn’t just made me a shareholder–he’d ensured I would be left holding the bag when everything fell apart. “Please, Hazel,” my aunt begged, “if the company goes under, we’ll all be ruined. Your cousins, me-”
“Stop.” My voice was ice. “Don’t pretend you care about me now. Where were you all the times my father hurt me? When he stole my mother’s family business?”
“Hazel-‘
“I’m not going to be his pawn anymore,” I said firmly. “Or yours.”
I hung up, my mind racing. This situation was worse than I’d imagined, but I refused to play the victim. If my father thought he could trap me this easily, he was sadly mistaken.
I picked up my office phone and dialed an extension.
“Security? I need four of your strongest men to accompany me immediately. We have
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an urgent situation that needs handling.”
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